$5k bonus for MCPS general educators to become special educators

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Not sure where you're pulling those numbers from. The pension is 1.7% * (avg high-5 salary) * (years of service). 35 years will get you close to 60%. Plus retiree health benefits.

Since 2011 the “reformed” pension for teachers has a multiplier of 1.5 instead of 1.7 and teachers have to pay more, currently 7% of salary. So closer to 50% depending on years of service. Since the early 80’s Every 10 to 15 years the state likes to monkey with the pension so that it doesn’t have to pay as much and benefits get reduced while teachers and schools systems have to pay in more. Teachers pay about 75% of the pension benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Not sure where you're pulling those numbers from. The pension is 1.7% * (avg high-5 salary) * (years of service). 35 years will get you close to 60%. Plus retiree health benefits.

My coworkers have at least three retirement formulas based on hire date because the MD legislature has changed the plans over time.

The 60% after 30-35 years of service is about right based on my hire date. Teachers with more experience than me often get more, teachers with less experience than me may get less.

NOBODY GETS 90%

Actually, it is possible. Pensions dating from the 70’s and 80’s were far more generous. Combine that with staff that stayed working for far longer than usual and it is actually possible to get over 100%. I worked with a guidance counselor who started working in the 1977 with MCPS and retired about 4 or 5 years ago. She was set to get more in retirement than her current salary. She just loved her job and didn’t want to retire yet. There used to be a lot more staff like that but as the job conditions have worsened over time most people want to retire ASAP unless they are in a cushier position or admin.

Everyone I ever worked with who started in the 70s and 80s retired at least 15 years ago.

Those references to the old pension should retire with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

I have two masters degrees that have nothing to do with teaching and I could be making triple what I am now… I love the kids… the parents? I’m one foot out the door. We are done with being treated like we are nothing. You’re already seeing it now- keep it up and your kids won’t have anyone left to teach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Not sure where you're pulling those numbers from. The pension is 1.7% * (avg high-5 salary) * (years of service). 35 years will get you close to 60%. Plus retiree health benefits.

Since 2011 the “reformed” pension for teachers has a multiplier of 1.5 instead of 1.7 and teachers have to pay more, currently 7% of salary. So closer to 50% depending on years of service. Since the early 80’s Every 10 to 15 years the state likes to monkey with the pension so that it doesn’t have to pay as much and benefits get reduced while teachers and schools systems have to pay in more. Teachers pay about 75% of the pension benefits.

Look again. It’s 1.5+0.2=1.7% when you include the supplemental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is switching for $5k. It is a calling. Because there is no way in hell anyone would do the amount of paperwork required for a mere $5k (and much less after taxes). Not to mention the amount of bodily fluids involved

If a general education teacher decides to switch this week, that would leave a class of general education students without a teacher. What happens with that class?

The same thing that happened all year long last year... they'll have Para educators teaching the class. Ask me how I know!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

Sure… Education majors are obviously highly in-demand outside of education...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wanna give a shout-out to the parents in this community who did this. (You know their names.. the re-opening group from hell.. the same old, but never ending BOE testimony parents, the “this is my chance to get famous on Fox News and get my name in the post” parents…) this is all on you. Not admin. Not MCPS. You can deny it all you want. We quit because of you. You said we should, so we did. Good luck. You’re all probably happy because now you can still be angry about something and write endless op-Eds for your CVs, or beg Fox 5 for more airtime. Look in the mirror.

What are you even talking about? You're blaming the teacher shortage on people who wanted schools open for their children? You realize we were one of the last to open right?

[Anonymous]

Every educator I know who left the profession early was offered a better job immediately. Their common reaction was "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

[Anonymous]

I have several friends who left public school and accepted positions at colleges (admin-y type jobs -- like Registrar, bookkeeper, etc. The reason? Free college tuition for their kids. If not there, then at 30+ other colleges. As one friend said, at 70K tuition per year times 4 years fir 2 kids, this is the best raise I could ask for.

They love their new jobs and no parents emailing them at 10pm!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every educator I know who left the profession early was offered a better job immediately. Their common reaction was "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

Of course they’re getting job offers. Unemployment is incredibly low, and presumably there’s a disproportionate number of teachers with other marketable skills leaving the profession.

But how many of those other jobs have pensions? Or retiree health benefits? Or job security that makes the employees nearly impossible to fire? Or summers off? Or pay rates between $80-100k

You might be able to check a couple of those boxes, but not all of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

Sure… Education majors are obviously highly in-demand outside of education...

I’m able to manage 130 people a day. I can collect and analyze a tremendous amount of ever-changing data. I can create and deliver engaging presentations, and I can be prepared to do it again the following day. I can determine how to change delivery of content based on audience. I can communicate effectively in person and online. I can lead teams. I can access and interpret information quickly and accurately, then clearly communicate its meaning to others. I write well. I come prepared, but I’m able to shift course immediately. I’m also able to work 8 hours with few breaks.

I know plenty of teachers who have left the profession in the past 3-4 years. All have gone on to higher pay and less stress. Trust me when I say teachers aren’t thinking that they are trapped in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

Sure… Education majors are obviously highly in-demand outside of education...

I’m able to manage 130 people a day. I can collect and analyze a tremendous amount of ever-changing data. I can create and deliver engaging presentations, and I can be prepared to do it again the following day. I can determine how to change delivery of content based on audience. I can communicate effectively in person and online. I can lead teams. I can access and interpret information quickly and accurately, then clearly communicate its meaning to others. I write well. I come prepared, but I’m able to shift course immediately. I’m also able to work 8 hours with few breaks.

I know plenty of teachers who have left the profession in the past 3-4 years. All have gone on to higher pay and less stress. Trust me when I say teachers aren’t thinking that they are trapped in the classroom.

No, they’re not trapped. But the vast majority wouldn’t be able to get the same pay and benefits in another field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

Sure… Education majors are obviously highly in-demand outside of education...

I’m able to manage 130 people a day. I can collect and analyze a tremendous amount of ever-changing data. I can create and deliver engaging presentations, and I can be prepared to do it again the following day. I can determine how to change delivery of content based on audience. I can communicate effectively in person and online. I can lead teams. I can access and interpret information quickly and accurately, then clearly communicate its meaning to others. I write well. I come prepared, but I’m able to shift course immediately. I’m also able to work 8 hours with few breaks.

I know plenty of teachers who have left the profession in the past 3-4 years. All have gone on to higher pay and less stress. Trust me when I say teachers aren’t thinking that they are trapped in the classroom.

No, they’re not trapped. But the vast majority wouldn’t be able to get the same pay and benefits in another field.

I see at least 3 different posters whose experience states otherwise.

I’m the PP. I know my worth and I’m able to articulate it. The nice thing about teaching is that it requires continuing education. I now have two advanced degrees and a ton of proven success managing data and people.

Don’t bother telling teachers that we won’t find a better deal elsewhere. We have former coworkers who have already done it. Instead of talking down to teachers, perhaps it’s time to respect us for what we provide. A good teacher is worth far more than society thinks, in pay but also in respect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every educator I know who left the profession early was offered a better job immediately. Their common reaction was "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

Of course they’re getting job offers. Unemployment is incredibly low, and presumably there’s a disproportionate number of teachers with other marketable skills leaving the profession.

But how many of those other jobs have pensions? Or retiree health benefits? Or job security that makes the employees nearly impossible to fire? Or summers off? Or pay rates between $80-100k

You might be able to check a couple of those boxes, but not all of them.

All anti- teacher people focus on the summers off. I make 250k and I work six months a year. I’m sorry you weren’t able to secure a job that allows you to live your life but many of us have. It’s such a pathetic thing to fixate on.